Methods: This cross-sectional study involved janitorial workers in a university in Sabah, Malaysia. The participants, who included supervisors, cleaners, and landscape workers, were recruited via universal sampling. Those with at least 12-months of experience in their present employment were included, while those with prior musculoskeletal injuries were excluded. Data were collected through interviews using the Malay version of Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (SNMQ), and Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), followed by Ergonomic Risk Assessment (ERA). Data were analyzed and produced using SPSSv.26, encompassing descriptive statistics, Pearson's Chi-Square, and Multiple Logistic Regression analysis. Ethical approval and respondents' informed consents were obtained prior to the study.

Results: Among 142 respondents, ULMSDs were found to be prevalent in 76.8% of janitorial workers, with the highest prevalence (71.6%) reported in the shoulder regions. None was at negligible risk, with 95.1% in the medium or high-risk categories for RULA assessment. The significant associated factors were landscape workers [aOR = 3.07,95% CI = 1.04, 9.91], more than three years of employment [aOR = 2.47,95% CI = 1.06, 5.79], and low job control [aOR = 2.69,95% CI = 1.16, 6.23].

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among landscape workers at a public university in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Interviews were conducted due to low literacy of the participants, using structured questionnaires which consist of personal characteristics, work descriptions, ergonomic risk factors, as well as self-reported WRMSD symptoms using NORDIC questionnaire. Ergonomic risk assessment (ERA) using rapid entire body assessment (REBA) was then conducted.

Results: Fifty-five of 60 landscape workers agreed to participate (92% response rate). The overall prevalence of WRMSDs among landscape workers was 85.5%. The highest prevalence involving the shoulder (65.5%), followed by neck (23.6%), wrist/hand (23.6%), and lower back (20.0%) regions based on their self-reported WRMSD symptoms over the past 12 months. Awkward posture was the risk factor identified through ergonomic risk assessment (ERA) conducted by ERA trained personnel. None of the working postures during assessment was noted to be appropriate. Although no significant difference was associated with self-reported WRMSDs, majority of the landscape workers (71%) were classified as medium ergonomic risk group using REBA, with the remaining 29% considered to be high ergonomic risk group.

DESIGN: This is a prospective, cohort study involving rural community residents.

SETTING: Rural community resident at Bingkor, Keningau, Sabah.

PARTICIPANTS: 363 individuals aged 13 years old and above.

INTERVENTION: Community-based participatory research to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with alcohol use.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurement of alcohol use using Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and assessment of psychiatric morbidity using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) questionnaires.

RESULTS: Most alcohol drinkers aged between 36-45 years old, followed by 26-35 years old and 46-55 years old. Interestingly, there are almost similar female to male ratio. Most were Kadazan-Dusun ethnic, non-Muslims, and married. Although only less than a third of the participants received tertiary education, the majority were working. Based on the findings, being a male, non-Muslim and having an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (current) posed a significantly higher risk of alcohol consumption.